Rojak, a Malaysian Spicy Fruit Salad with a mix of flavors and textures unlike any other. It is spicy, sweet, salty, tangy, soft, and crunchy. A must try!
In every language there are always some unique words that convey highly expressive notions about food and cultural nuances all at once. In the Malay language, rojak fulfills this down to a T. Blessed with an abundance of tropical fruits and vegetables, Malaysians often take a variety of ingredients and mix them together into a tasty salad called Rojak. In the mind of the locals, rojak has taken upon the meaning of diverse elements and even polar opposites being blended together. As such to describe anything as rojak is to imply a jumbled mix.
The cut-fruit stall is a popular lunch time fixture where Rojak can sometimes be found. The vendor will chop up his fruits and mix it with the sweet and spicy sauce. Prior to the advent of plastic bags, it was once common for Rojak to be served up in a newsprint cone lined with banana leaves. A few bamboo skewers were included for spearing the pieces of fruit. This is the most basic form of Rojak. Specialized Rojak vendors have more elaborate ingredients that include fried tofu and crispy shrimp fritters to provide a contrast of textures and flavors.
The sweet and spicy sauce is what makes the fruit salad a Rojak. One can almost describe the taste as umami. The ingredients include Sambal Belacan (pounded shrimp paste and chili condiment), hei ko (sweet shrimp paste), sweet sauce, caramel soy sauce, and sugar. Hei ko is a very important ingredient, without which it will not have that thick caramel consistency. On this side of the world, it would be similar to a spicy chocolate sauce or mole. In fact, I made a Spicy Chocolate Rojak sometime back using extra dark chocolate as a substitute.
World on a Plate
Today is the last Sunday of the month and it is time for World on a Plate. This month’s theme “Fruity Dessert” was agreed upon way back in May and the first thing that came to my mind was Rojak. I was really excited as I knew I would be able to get hei ko this time since I had a scheduled visit to Malaysia in June. Although I have not seen hei ko being sold here in my neighborhood in recent times, it is available in the larger Asian grocery stores downtown and especially the ones on both coasts. I have purchased it once or twice in the past.
Sambal Belacan
The other very important ingredient in Rojak is Sambal Belacan, a beloved pounded chili condiment of the Nyonyas and Malays. Many such household find food bland where sambal belacan is not present. It is often served during a meal with some raw vegetables known as ulam or simply used as a dip for a myriad of dishes.
There are basically only three ingredients in Sambal Belacan – red chilies, toasted belacan (shrimp paste), and lime juice. Belacan is a cake-like shrimp paste that must be cooked and cannot be eaten raw. Always buy the best grade you can afford as a little goes a long way. Hei ko on the other hand, is a more sauce-like shrimp paste that can be eaten right out of the jar.
Sambal Belacan can be prepared ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator until needed. It is best consumed within 2 to 3 days. Please scroll down for the recipe at the end of this page.
Similar Tools Used in Making This Rojak
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• T-fal Professional Total Nonstick Thermo-Spot Heat Indicator Fry Pan, 8-Inch
• Cuisipro Stainless Steel Measuring Cup and Spoon Set
Rojak – Malaysian Spicy Fruit Salad
Ingredients
- 6 small deep fried tofu
- ½ pineapple (peeled and cut into chunks)
- 1 green mango (peeled and cubed)
- 1 small jicama (peeled and cubed)
- 1 small cucumber (cut into bite size pieces)
- ¼ cup peanuts (toasted and chopped)
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds (toasted)
Rojak Sauce
- 1 tbsp sambal belacan
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce or sweet sauce
- 1 tbsp sweet soy sauce
- 1 tbsp hei ko (sweet black shrimp paste)
- 2 tbsp sugar
Instructions
- Fry tofu on a non-stick pan on all sides to crisp it up. Remove and slice thinly when cool enough to handle. Set aside.
- Combine all rojak sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Mix thoroughly with a spoon.
- Place sliced tofu, pineapple, mango, jicama, and cucumber in a large bowl.
- Pour sauce over fruits and vegetables. Mix well.
- Dish into 4 individual portions. Sprinkle some chopped peanuts and sesame seeds over each portion.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Rojak – A Mix of Flavors
The chopped roasted peanuts and sesame seeds provide additional texture and crunch. This salad truly is a mix of flavors and textures unlike any other. It is spicy, sweet, salty, tangy, soft, and crunchy. I hope you will give it a try.
Recipe for Sambal Belacan
Sambal Belacan
Ingredients
- ¾ inch cube belacan
- 6 red chilies
- 1 lime (about 2 to 3 tbsp lime juice)
Instructions
- Toast belacan in a non-stick pan until crumbly. This will take about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove and allow to cool .
- Break red chilies into smaller pieces shaking off seeds as much as possible. Place toasted belacan and chilies in a small food processor and processed until desired level of fineness.
- Alternatively, belacan and chilies may be pounded in a stone mortar and pestle to the desired level of fineness.
- Transfer to a jar. Squeeze in lime juice.
- Store in the refrigerator and consume within 2 to 3 days.
Nutrition
Enjoy…..and have a wonderful day! 😎
simply.food says
Fantastic clicks.Salad looks delicious. This is perfect entry to Flavours of Malaysia, inviting you to link it.
Thanks
Biren says
Thanks Nayna! I have already linked up one recipe. 🙂
PolaM says
This looks amazing! I would love to try it!!! I’m very intrigued by the flavor combination!
Biren says
I hope you get to try it when you visit Malaysia. 🙂
Chris says
Apple’s, pineapple, guava + our own home grown hard plums, chillies and green onion tips with the belecan sambal sauce, simply yumm!!!! And a side of steamed shrimps with some sugar biscuits to compliment the whole dish, absolutely yumm, healthy and very refreshing 😊
Linda says
Yes, all those firm and tangy fruits will work. I like your creativity. I may have to make some for myself today. 😋
Delishhh says
Looks amazing! Would love the sweet and salty combination here. YUM!
Biren says
Thank you.
Raymund says
This reminds me of the other rojak which I really love, I am not sure if you know what I mean but the one I am saying is the sweet, salty and spicy variant, I am not sure whats on it but its not fruits. Do you have a recipe of that one?
Biren says
This rojak also has the sweet, salty, and spicy flavors. Perhaps you are referring to Indian rojak or pasembor.
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
Biren, have you anything in house that needs to be done? Like laundry, car-washing, dog-walking? I will work for getting a portion of this delicious Rojak!
Biren says
Aww…you don’t have to work for me Angie. I would gladly share some of my rojak with you. 🙂
Ramona says
Biren.. your sambal was literally making my mouth water!! I love it. I also love the little dish you put your sambal in very cute!! This fruit salad is my kind of dish. 🙂
Biren says
Sambal belacan can be addictive. My mom always have a jar in the fridge. Those cute little dishes come in a set of four. It is nice that they have lids. 🙂
dorothy lin says
Thanks for the easy version of the rojak.My mouth waters when I see the pictures.Pineapples,mangoes,and jicama cost cheaper in summer.Plus with home grown cucumbers and chilli peppers – the rojak will taste heavenly.I will try making it next week and let you know th result.
Biren says
Wow…homegrown cucumbers and chili peppers! That is great! I can’t wait to hear how yours turned out.
Jeannie says
You managed to introduce the simple rojak in such a grand way with your beautiful photos!
Biren says
Thanks Jeannie for your kind words. 🙂
mjskit says
This has got to be one of the most interesting desserts I’ve ever seen! Tofu, fruit, hot sauce – in a dessert? Why not? I do love the sweet and spicy so I’m sure this is the perfect dessert for me. The sambal belacan looks very interesting and like something that could be used in a variety of dishes. I’ve never heard of belacan, so it’s now on my list of things to find! Great dessert, wonderful pictures! Thanks for sharing this unique Malaysian dessert!
Biren says
This truly is a jumble or mixed up fruit salad with a combination of flavors and textures. I hope you get to try it one of these days.
You should be able to find belacan at the Asian grocery stores. Do buy the best grade you can find as a little goes a long way.
Magic of Spice says
My kind of fruit salad…wow! This looks incredible Biren!
Biren says
Thanks Alisha! 🙂
Kitchen Belleicious says
okay this is definitely new to me and I love it! I never thought to have a spicy fruit salad but I can see how amazing it would be. Love the spices!
Biren says
This is something that is quite different from what you will find here. I hope you get to taste it one of these days. 🙂
denise @ singapore shiok says
I love the shot of your rojak cone in the metal stand and I actually feel like preparing some rojak for hubby this evening. He absolutely loves it, and I miss it too! Have everything but the hay koh, off to the market I go 😉
Biren says
Thanks Denise! I am really loving that new macro lens as the pictures come out nice and crisp.
You should have no trouble finding hei koh in your part of the world. Happy snacking! 🙂
Anna @ The Littlest Anchovy says
Wow! These flavours are fantastic! I am definitely giving this a try!
kitchenriffs says
This is a new dish to me – and it looks great. Love the flavors. Really like your stone mortar and pestle, too. I have a marble one, but I also need a stone one (I’m crazed I know). Good post – thanks.
Katherine Martinelli says
I’m so behind Biren! I love your spin on fruit for this challenge! The combination of the sweet fruit and spicy flavor really sounds great.
Katerina says
Sorry fr being so late for the party but I was on vacations. This is such an exotic salad! I love the flavors in this. So unique and tasty!
Nasifriet says
Wow! I’m so glad you posted this, Biren! I was so craving for rojak. A friend gave me a bottle of the sauce (all-in-one) and what I did for all time sake (schooldays), was to smear the sauce on the a cucumber (cut lengthwise with the pit scooped out). The bottle of rojak sauce was gone in less than 3 days and I guess there’s no excuse in making my own 😀
Thanks for sharing and I love the colour and texture of your sambal belacan. Reminds me of my mum’s kitchen 🙂
Biren says
When I was in Penang in June, I was so tempted to bring a jar of pre-made rojak sauce home. After some deliberation, I decided to buy the hei koh or prawn paste instead and make my own rojak sauce. I am glad I did as the sauce turned out beautifully, if I can say so myself. 🙂
I grew up with sambal belacan. Mom constantly has a jar of it in the fridge which I got to enjoy during my recent visit. 🙂
Poh raggatt says
Once again you have not only transported me back to Malaysia, but given me ticket to go there anytime I choose! S
Thanks for sharing all you authentic Malaysian recipes. Love it!
Just noticed that the “save recipe” box for Rojak goes to Sambal belachan.
Biren says
My website is always open. Please visit any time. 🙂 Really? It must be taking the first recipe on the page. I will look into it soon. Thanks for letting me know.
Paul says
Made the rojak last night. Tasted fine to me but I never had it before..will test it tonight at a dinner party with friends from Malaysia.
Linda says
I hope your Malaysian friends like it. 🙂 were you able to get the shrimp paste (belacan) and sweet black shrimp paste (hei koh)?
Maureen says
Oh yummm Biren !!! Thanks! Is there a substitute for bangkwang?
Linda says
The closest thing I can think of in texture to bangkwang are Asian pears. 🙂 You can certainly leave it out altogether since there are quite a few fruits in there.